THE introduction of uniformed patrols on the Midland Metro has seen crime fall by 19 per cent, transport chiefs have said.

Community support officers have waged war on yobs on the tramway and the number of offences fell to 163 last year, compared with 200 for the previous 12 months.

It means that there is now just one incident for every 30,675 passenger journeys from a total of more than five million every year.

Regional passenger body Centro said it would work with British Transport Police to make it even safer. Sophie Allison, Metro transport partnership’s manager at Centro, said: “There are relatively few incidents of crime on the Midland Metro and it is good to see that they have reduced even further over the past year.

“I would like to thank the British Transport Police and Travel Midland Metro for working with us.

“This partnership is really important.”

As well as the physical presence of police officers, all tram stops have CCTV fitted which is linked to the Metro control centre in Wednesbury via an intercom system, so if passengers need information or help they can get it on the platform.